Former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman great, Jesse Sapolu, will be riding on the Union Bank and the American Heart Association float during the 127th Rose Parade in Pasadena on Friday, January 1st. The float, which is themed "Union of Hearts," commemorates 30 years of collaboration on the mission of building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.


Sapolu, the 49ers four-time Super Bowl champion (XIX, XXIII, XXIV, XXIX) and heart disease survivor, will be among those on the float as it travels down Colorado Blvd. The float, which stands 25 feet high, 18 feet wide, 55 feet long, and weighs about 25,000 pounds, will feature more than 15,000 flowers.

Sapolu played center and guard for the 49ers from 1983 through 1997. During that time, he was selected to two Pro Bowls (1993, 1994) and was a two-time All-Pro (1994, 1995). The 11th round pick in the 1983 NFL Draft played in 182 games, starting 154. He is 54 years old.

He remains an active member of the 49ers Alumni Board and has been an integral part in establishing the Polynesian Pro Football Hall of Fame.